The belated arrival of summer has sparked a surge in sales of burgers, beer,
and Pimms, according to Waitrose.

Customers have been snapping up food and drink for barbecues for the weekend, with temperatures expected to reach almost 30 degrees Celsius across the country.

Waitrose said that sales of burgers were also up 90pc this week compared to the same time last year while sales of speciality sausages rose 50pc.

This spike in sales of summer food, which has also seen demand for mayonnaise increase, follows a week in which Glastonbury and Wimbledon helped sales.

Waitrose said that in the week ending June 29, sales of antibacterial hand wipes rose 262pc, while shower gel rose 30pc, soap 17pc, and suncare 27pc as festival-goers heading for a long weekend of music at Glastonbury stocked up on supplies.

The retailer said that sales at Waitrose stores at Welcome Break service stations rose by 22pc as shoppers stopped off on their way to the festival.

Waitrose also said that during the week sales of world beer rose 25pc, wine 12pc and Pimms 90pc as homes bought alcohol to drink while watching a weekend of sport on television, including Wimbledon, the British & Irish Lions play rugby in Australia, and the British Grand Prix in Formula One.

Overall, sales rose 12.3pc for Waitrose excluding fuel in the week, meaning that the supermarket continued its run of strong growth. The retailer is growing sales at a quicker pace than its larger rivals, such as Tesco, Asda, J Sainsbury and Morrisons.

David Jones, the supply chain director for Waitrose, said: “The weather has a huge impact on customer choices and we’re geared up for a blazing weekend – with BBQs, burgers and bangers at the top of customers’ shopping lists.”